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  1. Games
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  3. Pokemon
  4. Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket

Best Pokemon TCG Pocket Darkrai and Weavile ex deck build

Guides
By Joel Franey last updated 31 January 2025

One of the best Dark type decks in PTCGP after the Space Time Smackdown set is focused on Darkrai ex and Weavile ex

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Darkrai ex in Pokemon TCG Pocket
(Image credit: The Pokemon Company)
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The best Pokemon TCG Pocket Darkrai ex and Weavile ex deck is also the best build for dark-types as a whole, and one of the most powerful in the current meta. In the wake of the Space-Time Smackdown expansion, these two cards, combined with Spiritomb, have taken the leaderboards by storm and quickly become one of the best decks around.

So considering that the Weavile/Darkrai pairing is now arguably the best of the best Pokemon TCG Pocket meta decks, it's good to understand how it works and what the components are, even if you don't have the cards yet to build it yourself (as you'll probably find yourself going up against it more than once). With that in mind, here's the best way to build the Weavile ex and Darkrai ex deck in PTCGP, and what the strategies you'll need to use are.

Best Darkrai ex and Weavile ex deck build in Pokemon TCG Pocket

Best Weavile and Darkrai deck in Pokemon TCG Pocket

(Image credit: The Pokemon Company)

To make the best Darkrai ex and Weavile ex dark-type deck in PTCGP, you should use the following:

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  • Sneasel x2
  • Weavile ex x2
  • Darkrai ex x2
  • Spiritomb x2
  • Dawn x2
  • Cyrus x2
  • Professor's Research x2
  • Pokemon Communication x2
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  • Poke Ball x2

All the major cards here come from the Pokemon TCG Pocket Space-Time Smackdown set, so you'll need to open more than a few packs to fill this out (or alternatively have them sent over by friends via the Pokemon TCG Pocket trading system).

If you're looking for substitutions for this deck, it's tricky to find ones that suffice. The main goal here is to have Weavile or Spiritomb up front and Darkrai on the bench damaging with its ability, so finding other cards that replicate these effects is difficult, especially with Dark-types. Murkrow and Honchkrow can work, but this is a lesser choice: the deck won't be as good, especially depending on what it is you're swapping out to fit them in.

The ultimate strengths of this deck build are a strong early game and good board control. You do a lot of damage from the start, and cards like Cyrus and Pokemon Communication let you keep control of the placement and swap cards out. There's not much set-up required beyond evolving Sneasel once into Weavile, and once that little element is over, all you need to do is to keep firing off damage. Plus, Dark types are usually strong against very common Psychic decks like the meta-topping Pokemon TCG Pocket Mewtwo ex deck.

The downsides of the deck aren't many, but they do exist. There's not much late-game "killshot" powers, none of the cards are really tanky, and a little bit of prep still means that there's a short space to be disrupted.

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Darkrai ex and Weavile ex deck strategy and tactics

Best Weavile and Darkrai deck in Pokemon TCG Pocket

(Image credit: The Pokemon Company)

Once you're playing with this deck, the key is to control the board and unleash a stream of relentless damage from an early phase. You don't do much in the way of heavy impacts, instead starting an early barrage of chip damage that can hurt both active and benched Pokemon, refusing to give your opponent the chance to recover.

Weavile ex is really important here, as it does extra damage to injured Pokemon, and should generally be the one you want in the active position. Once there, use Darkrai's nightmare Aura to do a small amount of damage to the opponent, then Weavile follows up with an empowered attack. If that Pokemon is pulled back to the bench, use Cyrus to drag it back out to the active pose to keep up the assault. If a Pokemon is damaged, try to finish it off as a priority without letting up.

From your opening hand, it's best to start the game with Spiritomb. Doing 10 damage to every Pokemon isn't much normally, but that little sliver is what opens the board for Weavile ex to be devastating, a Pokemon which you can evolve on the bench before bringing it in soon afterwards. Having softened the enemy, Weavile will wreck their strategy well enough.

Want another option for a powerful deck that's emerged recently? Check out how to make a fantastic Pokemon TCG Pocket Palkia ex deck here!

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Guides Editor, GamesRadar+

Joel Franey is a writer, journalist, podcaster and Very Tired Man with a BA from Brunel University, a Masters from Sussex University and a decade working in games journalism, often focused on guides coverage but also in reviews, features and news. His love of games is strongest when it comes to groundbreaking narratives like Disco Elysium, UnderTale and Baldur's Gate 3, as well as innovative or refined gameplay experiences like XCOM, Sifu, Arkham Asylum or Slay the Spire. He is a firm believer that the vast majority of games would be improved by adding a grappling hook, and if they already have one, they should probably add another just to be safe. You can find old work of his at Eurogamer, Gfinity, USgamer, SFX Magazine, RPS, Dicebreaker, VG247, and more.

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